Ascension is seeking a senior-level Program Manager to serve as the contract lead and accountable executive for a major transportation planning and consulting services engagement. This individual will act as the single point of accountability for contract execution, ensuring delivery excellence across program management, stakeholder coordination, and technical planning activities.

The ideal candidate is a strategic leader and operational executor who thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments and can translate planning requirements into actionable, measurable outcomes. This role is critical to ensuring that all planning studies, program deliverables, and contract support activities are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned to client expectations and regulatory standards.

This position is best suited for professionals with deep experience in program management, transportation or infrastructure planning, consulting oversight, and stakeholder engagement, combined with strong leadership, decision-making authority, and the ability to manage both internal teams and subcontractors.

Summary of the Contractor Role

The Program Manager serves as the chief coordinator and manager of the entire contract, responsible for directing, developing, and overseeing all aspects of program execution. This includes planning studies, reporting, staffing coordination, quality assurance, budget management, and stakeholder communication.

The role requires an individual who is:

• A highly organized and strategic thinker capable of managing multiple concurrent priorities
• Self-driven and proactive, with the ability to operate in ambiguous or evolving environments
• Skilled in anticipating risks, resolving issues, and driving solutions to completion
• Experienced in leading cross-functional teams and subcontractors
• Effective in executive-level communication, negotiation, and decision-making

The Program Manager will leverage tools and processes such as:

• Project Management frameworks (PMBOK, Agile where applicable)
• Integrated Master Schedules and Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)
• Data analytics and reporting tools (Excel, Power BI, SharePoint dashboards)
• Quality control and performance monitoring processes aligned to ISO 9001 principles
• Collaboration platforms (Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint)

This role directly supports the client’s need for structured program oversight, analytical planning support, and coordinated execution of transportation-related initiatives.

Day-to-Day / Core Responsibilities

• Lead overall contract execution and serve as the primary point of contact with the client
• Direct planning studies, program activities, and consulting engagements across all task areas
• Manage contract budget, resource allocation, and financial performance
• Oversee development and execution of project schedules, milestones, and deliverables
• Coordinate internal teams and subcontractors to ensure alignment and performance
• Develop Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), schedules, dashboards, and reporting tools
• Ensure quality control and compliance with contract requirements and standards
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings, executive briefings, and decision-making sessions
• Analyze program risks, issues, and performance metrics and implement mitigation strategies
• Negotiate and make binding decisions on behalf of the contractor within scope authority
• Establish and refine management structures to improve operational efficiency
• Communicate program status, risks, and recommendations clearly to leadership